Cute gal........even tho you haven't asked for any comments, I feel compelled to offer one....CROP, CROP, CROP.

Still a really cute gal.

Oh Good grief.....there is its. Just blind old me.

Thanks so much.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A BOOKMARK ????????

Bay Photo

Well that is just TOO WIERD. If I was a "paranaormal" geek, I'd have a ball with this. <lol> Looks like it's some kind of steam coming up from below between the missing planks of the floor to the left. Yes? No? Maybe a "big breather" down below. <grin>

Here's another option of the original photo you sent.

There are so many ways to edit a photo, but in reality, the easiest is to take a bit of time and learn your camera's positive and not-so-positive options. I think a change of possibly 1-2 f-stops would have given you spectacular resolution and clarity. Good lesson to learn....never totally trust the meter in there. It's not your eye and it doesn't SEE what your eye sees. However, set properly, you can FORCE it to see what you want.
How about trying straight manual when you're shooting an object that's not likely to move on you? That will give you time to make proper settings and also try a few different ones?
Just maybe??

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TIME OF DAY. Like I posted before.....my dad taught me that a picture is nothing more than Lights and Shadows. Shoot a snowflake. You think it's white? Wrong.....it's a myriad of colors caused by reflections of YUP....LIGHTS AND SHADOWS from the sun.
My kinda guy.....magic hours. Yes sir!!
Here's an example.....it snowed 18" here yesterday. I got up at 5:30 with the dogs and watched till the light was right where I wanted it. This is the result...taken 45 minutes after daylight.

Just after daylight....my favorite time of day

Took a little "liberty" with your photo, since I have a personal passion for b/w. Maybe this suggestion will help? I'm not a pro, please know that....I just shoot and play.
My dad taught me as a kid that in b/w photography and painting with oils, there is NOTHING but highlights and shadows, so the need to be dealt with individually.

slight alterations in the highlights and shadows

Well, what a coincidence.....just drove right by there 3 days in a row for dog shows at the Fairgrounds. Was there at 7am this morning....last day. Brrr... (By the way, I hear you guys are supposed to get 7 inches of snow tonight. Glad it's you and not us) Now it's 4 dog show days in Portland starting 19Jan.
Some of the memories about photography and my dad are VERY vivid. Especially those of my "homework"....wood, barn wood, tree wood/bark, DEPTH OF FIELD. Ah yes....the darned soupcans lined up. God, I do NOT miss the lessons. But what he taught me I will value till I die.

[quote=Currently I have a Canon 30D which I use for pleasure. I have been interested in the Canon 7D, but have been waiting to see what will succeed it.

I have uploaded a photo of some of my camera equipment over the years. A couple have been collected items.[/quote]
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OMG.,......that looks like my dad's stuff. He taught me on an old plate camera....and I had to learn to develop, burn, dodge, print, color in oils and even had to take my own Senior Pics. then I graduated to an old Pentax he didn't like. From there to here sounds so much like your. wow...... Where's South Hill?? Is that the little town up by Puyallup??

Hi Judy, and welcome to the UHH. I lived in Bothell, Wa for 8+ Years, never heard of Toledo. Where exactly is it?[/quote]
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We're 63 miles north of Portland, about half way between Centralia/Chehalis and Longview/Kelso.
Wow....a kindred spirit and so close.
We can also be found at http://www.skylocke.com or on FB as well https://www.facebook.com/#!/skylocke
Have a super day......we'll be going to the dog show up in Puyallup for a 1:45 ring time with our TFT and then tomorrow at 8am.

I LOVE fog, the mood it can set, the lighting it creates and the fun of the photography opportunities it offers. What nice colors this one gave you. I've never been able to get a good fog shot except morning and evening.....maybe I'd better get out there and try dugint the day.
And you're absolutley right....it was TOTALLY ENCLOSED. Nearly obliterated all details. Don't like driving in that kind of fog. Yikes.

Hi there, My name is Judy and I'm in SW Washington state. I'm an old lady (70) who has enjoyed a obsessive relationship with photography since my Dad taught me way back in the 50's. He was a Pro, and also a stickler for details. So I learned.....and learned. I've spent most of my adult life shooting Show Dogs, with candids and landscapes on the side. Now too old and arthritic to do much of the show dogs, I'm playing with landscapes, light, and ambiance in photos. It's fun.
Hope to get lots of critiques, to improve what I love to do....and I totally enjoy the comments and photos I see here on this forum. What a great place!!!
Here are a couple samples.... Y'all have a great day!!

Something I took for a magazine ad


One of my passions.....ground fog


One of the fun shots

Well, I have to first off, say BIG Thank You to you guys.
Secondly, I don't know what to say about how overwhelmed I am. I was just hoping for some critique to make things better.
This shot of the thunderclouds was taken in my own front yard in SW Washington state....the mood was heavy, like Tornado weather.....to which those of you from the midwest will no doubt relate. The light was wierd, the wind was quiet, it was a hit or miss with the camera settings, so I jumped in.
My dad was a pro photographer back when I was a kid In the 50's) and he always had a huge supply of b/w film in the fridge from the "navy yard". He gave me super low iso, taught me camera settings on an old worn out Pentax and harped on them till they'd better be second nature. I still do them mostly in my head automatically, but I sure envy those who get good shots with straight "auto" on their DSLRs. Must be nice. 8-)
Anyway, thanks so much. I was planning on matting this and entering it along with several others in the County Fair this year.

How about something like this???